Proceeds will support arts programs

Fashion UA event to feature local designers

An Upper Arlington nonprofit group will host a fashion show this month to highlight local designers and raise money for arts programming.

UA Arts, a nonprofit group that provides financial support to the Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission and other local art endeavors, will host "Fashion UA" Sept. 20 at the city's Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road.

The red-carpet event will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and will feature designers Jahi, Solar Swimwear, US Gala, Lubna Designs, Minkas Furs and Argo & Lehne Jewelers.

WBNS-10TV co-anchor Kristyn Hartman will host the event.

Organizers said it will showcase the Columbus area's evolving and renowned fashion industry.

General admission tickets to Fashion UA cost $12 each and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com or at the door on the night of the show.

Additionally, VIP tickets are available for $50 per person. VIP guests can attend a reception that will begin at 6 p.m. prior to the show, will receive VIP seating and complimentary tickets for raffle items donated by area businesses.

Guests are encouraged to show their support for Upper Arlington by wearing black and gold.

"Wearing black and gold is encouraged since black and gold is Upper Arlington's color scheme," Hutchko said. "Anyone who is anyone will be wearing black and gold.

"Since our designers are diverse, they will be featuring all colors."

Proceeds from the event will go to UA Arts to support local cultural arts events and programs.

"Right now, we're trying to expand the diversity of the cultural arts programs," Hutchko said. "Some of the stuff is young and different.

"Some people say, 'Is fashion art?' Well, it is for the New York Met, so why not here?"

In addition to diversifying the local art scene, Hutchko said the cultural arts commission hopes to showcase the talents of local designers and help promote a regional fashion industry that Atlantic magazine recently ranked as the third-best design center in the U.S., behind only New York City and San Francisco.

"We have 35 models from surrounding communities, which were chosen at our model casting call in June," Hutchko said. "Our featured model coordinator, JaMez Aloha Burton, will be a designer assistant for New York Fashion Week Sept. 1-13. Two of our designers, Jahi and Lubna, will also be participating in the New York Fashion Week."

Hutchko said Fashion UA will serve as a kickoff to CMH Fashion Week, the official fashion week of Columbus, which will take place Oct. 12-18.

There also will be an official Fashion UA after-party at Roharik Productions, 1185 Chesapeake Ave., Columbus, at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

Additional after-party details at are available online at www.facebook.com/roharikproductions/info.